Electrolytic apparatus



June 2 1932- H. c. HARRISON I ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25,192.6 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r m U .r. n a 3 f LLJ/ a June 21, 1932. H. c.HARRISON 1,864,490

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS I I Filed Aug 25, 1926 v 2 Sheets-Shem; 2

Jmnntoc HERBERT cmuarron HARRISON, or LocKroBr, NEW yoamrnonnncn M.nanmsom der pressure considerably higher than that Patented 21, 1932nnrrsn s'r Tss rA ENroFFIcE ARTHUR BRIDGES BRANFIL HARRISON, AND WILLIAMWHITMORE CAMYBELL .EXECUTOBS AND TRUSTEES OF SAID HERBERT CHAMPIONHARRISON, DECEASED ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Application filed August 23,

This inventionrelates to the art of electrolytically depositing metal,such as copper, of good physical quality, at a high rate of speed.

In my prior patent 1,768,358 dated June 24:, 1930, I have disclosed aprocess and an apparatus in which an electrolyte is circu lated incontact with a cathode, in a cathode compartment of an electrolyticcell, under pressure higher than atmospheric, or higher than thatoutside of said compartment, while constantly renewing the richness orconcen tration of the electrolyte by a body or bodies of the metal to bedeposited maintained in contact with or submerged in the circulatingelectrolyte. Stated specifically, it was contemplated in the process andapparatus of said prior application to make use of soluble anodematerial occupying one or more compartments of an electrolytic cell;another compartment containing the cathode being completely separatedfrom the anode material by a non-conducting partition permeable to theelectrolyte, and also, when saturated with electrolyte, permeable to theelectric -current.. The cathode compartment was to be completely closedexcept for an inlet and an outlet for the passage of the electrolyte anda continuously moving cathode. Elecv trolyte was to be flowed throughthe cathode compartment in a rapidly moving stream unexisting in theanode compartment or compartments. In the practice of said prior processa small proportion of the electrolyte forced into the cathodecompartment passed through the permeable partition into the anodechamber or chambersfand thence into ,a collection reservoir where itjoined with the electrolyte from the cathode compartment to be againcirculated through the cell. In the cell shown in said application,

the electrolyte flowed through the cathode and anode compartmentssubstantially horizontally, the cathode'c'om artment being in the natureof a tunnel of ut slightly larger cross section than, and of formsimilar to, the

cathode, which was caused to travel therethrough. I

. The earlier process and apparatus referred 1926. Serial in; 130,994.

to have yielded excellent results at extremelyhigh current densities. Bytheir use copper has been deposited on a travelling ribbon cathode at acurrentdensity of 1000 amperes and more per square foot. But in order toget these high current densities" a voltage of 12 to 14, volts per cellwas required, and 1 able. In that cell the actual spacing of the anodematerial from the cathode was approximately one inch. This spacing wasdetermined by the thickness of the layer of high pressure electrolytebetween the cathode and the porous partition, plus the thickness of theporous partition, plus the average distance of the soluble anodematerial fromthe:

low pressure sideof the partition. This one inch spacing corresponded tothe resistance of a considerably greater spacing, because the resistanceof the porous plate itself was from three to five times that of theelectrolyte.

(2) The speed of the electrolyte in the high pressure cathodecompartment was restricted. .The current density permissible de-. pendsprimarily upon the speed of the electrolyte relative to the surface ofthe cathode, and if suiu'cient pressure existed in the cathodecompartment, and if this com artment. were made long for the purpose 0getting a fairly thick de osit with fair speed of movement of the catode, thereby presenting considerable resistance to flow, an abnormalportion of the electrolyte passed through the porous partition, and soreduced the speed of the high pressure electrolyte at the exit end ofithepompiartment.

In the improvement which is the'subject of this application, I alsoprovide a compartmented cell and cause a body of electrolyte tocirculate through it.- The resistance withinthis cell is reduced byutilizing an anode,

disposed close to the cathode, of a substance.

in electrolyte flowing under lower pressure.

The streams of electrolyte flowing from the eral body of circulatingelectrolyte.

As the partition defining the cathode compartment is impervious, thespeed and pressure nearthe exit end thereof is not reduced by diversionof electrolyte through the par tition into the other compartment,'sothat more'rapid renewal of the electrolyte in contact with the cathodesurface may take place,

making possible the use of much higher current densities.

.The employment of a neutral or insoluble anode raises the initialvoltage required for the cell, as compared with a cell using solubleanodes, because the insoluble anode polarizes. For example, a cell witha soluble anode that would operate'normally witha voltage of .3 volts,would require nearly 2 volts if the soluble anode were replaced by aninsoluble one, as of lead, this amount of pressure bein requiredfltocause-any current flow throug the layer of gas collected on the anode.At first consideration, therefore, use of an insoluble anode would seemto present no advantage; but this not so, for the reason 40 that thedifference in voltage required with the closely lying insoluble anodedoes not va with the current density employed, as it id in the priorpractice described; the initial difference is preserved, but as thecurrent density increases, very. little additional voltage is requiredto operate the cell. This follows because the insoluble anode may-be 55gether'with-that necessary to be overcome -to effect electrolysis witha'given; insoluble.

anode.

uniformly about ;th. of an inch from the cathodefallows operation of thecellfwith a ,current density of 500 amperes to the sqiiare foot and apressure of approximately '3 volts.

It could be operated with a current density.

of 1000 amperes to the square fodt witha l5 pressureof about 4 M5 volts.Thus the cathode and anode chambers unite in the gen- The use ofimpervious lead anodes'spaced increase in current density bears no suchrelation'to increase'of voltage as it does in a cell having a resistanceinterposed between the electrodes consisting of a non-conducting menthas the further advantage that, asthe conductivit of the electrolyte isa practically negligible actor since the layer is only t of an inchthick, 9. highly conductive electrolyte need not be chosen, but asolution, as v of copper, low in free acid and of high copperconcentration, may be used, which, althou h a oor conductor, is a goodsolution for o taming sound deposits at high current density.

Although an insoluble anode, as of lead, appears to cause violentpolarization at the anode surface, and the electrolyte is dischargedfrom' the cathode chamber full of gas, yet the physical structure ofcopper deposited and the surface of the deposited layer, instead ofshowing signs of deteriora- Y tion, appear to be improved in comparisonwith results obtained by the prior described practice.

The new apparatus used in the practice of this improved processcomprises a cell in tower for, divided vertically intotunnel-likecompartments by one or more partitions of insoluble anodematerial, for example, lead,

Duriron or carbon, one of said compartments surrounding the cathode, andthe other or others containing pieces of metal of the kind to bedeposited on the cathode,'for example copper shot. The electrolyte isforced intothe upper end ofthe cathode tunnel or com partment under highpressure, said tunnel being closed except at the top and bottom -endswhere the electrolyte enters and leaves I it. Inthe contemplatedpractice the cathode may consist of a-metallic ribbon, as of coppercaused {to move continuously through the cathode chamber, preferablyfrom bottom to top, in a. direction opposite to that of .the

. 1 t fl placed very close to the cathodeaS clo a e ec y ow The coppershot, or other pieces of metal of the kind to be deposited, immersed inthe circulating electrolyte for the purpose of keeping up the. strengthof the bath, may be placed in.- the compartment or compartmentsseparatedfroi'n the cathode by the par- I tition or partitions of anodematerial. Electrical connection with the anode is preferably madethroughthese pieces, because thus the current may be more evenlydistributed to the insoluble anodepartitions, and also promote thedisshlutionof. the metal pieces to kee up the metal concentration of theelectro yte. Portions of the electrolyte are ca'usedto flow through thecompartments outside of the cathode compartment, under lower pressureiIt is preferred to immerse; the terminals of an apparatus adapted topractice this in vention; 4

Fig.2 is a view at right anglesto that shown in Fig. 1, of a fragment oftheapparatus at its lower end;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the plane indicated by a line 3-3 inFig. 2;

- Fig.4 is a central vertical section through an electrolyte tank, whichhas two compartthe upper portion of the cell illustrated in Fig. 1,taken substantially in the plane of the ribbon cathode; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse .section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are shown on a larger scale than Fig. 1 inorder to clarify,

details of construction.

Certain parts of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, it will beunderstood, are somewhat diagrammatic, but illustrate the mode ofoperation intended. j

Numeral 10 (Fig. 1) indicates generally an electrolytic cell disposed insubstantially vertical position, and it may be here termed anelectrolytic tower, because of its towerlike form. This tower may besupported on frame-work 11, from which the tower is insulated bysuitable insulatingmaterial 110 2) In the illustrated embodiment thetower is supported by the frame-work above ments, 12 and 13. Thecompartment 12 receives electrolyte discharged from the oathodecompartment of the cell, as will be later described. The electrolytereceived into compartment 12 may flow over a weir 14, into the maincompartment 13, which also receives the electrolyte flowing from other'compart ments in' the cell directly into it, as will be more fully setforth hereinafter.

A pipe 15 extends from the compartment 13 to'a tank 16, disposed at anydesired height above the level of the upper end of. the tower.

tank 16 by means of any suitable pump, indicated conventionally in Fig.1 by numeral 17. From the elevated tank 16,3. pipe 18 conveyselectrolyte into the upper'end of the tower. Said pipe 18 may have avalve 19 to control the flow, as desired.

The cathode used in this apparatus is in-' tended to be of ribbon form,and ma be, as shown in the drawings, an endless ri bon, movedcontinuously at any suitable rate of speed, through a cathodecompartment in the tower. The cathode ribbon which may be composed ofcopper, is indicated by the numeral 20. It may be caused to travelthrough the cathode compartment in either directi-on, but it ispreferred to have it travel upward, in a direction counter to that ofthe flow of the electrolyte. For the purpose of supporting and movingthe cathode, there is shown, somewhat diagrammatically, a drum 21,supported above the tower with its periphery tangent to the axis of thecathode chamber. From the drum 21 the oathode ribbon may, extend betweentwo winding spools, 22, which are intended to function as strippers incase the deposited metal isto be separated in sheets or ribbons from thecathode. Associated with the spools 22 there maybe a pair of doctors orlifting wedges 23, the thin ends of which are arranged to engage thecathode ribbon and assist in separating therefrom the layers, which arebeing wound up on the spools 22. The ribbon 20 denuded of its depositsthen passes over an idler guide pulley, 24. 25indicates a cathodesurface treating apparatus, specifically, a

gas-containing tank, inclined as shown, having slits in its oppositeends in substantial registration witheach other, through which thecathode 20 is guided in order that it may acquire a surface from whichthe deposit may be stripped. The lower end of the tank 25 is penetratedby one or more pipes 26,.which communicate with a supply. of gas, (notshown), such as ammonium sulphide, which reacts within the tank with thesurface of the ribbon, thus forming on it a sulphide or other suitablecoating, designed to promote free stripping of the deposited layers.

. A guide, 28, embraces the ribbon 20 after it leaves tank 25. Thisguide 28 may consist.

of a pair of flat boards or other platelike members, and. may havelayers of felt or the like, 29, in contact with the ribbon, for thepurpose of cleaning and smoothin the layer formed upon the ribbon in thetan 25.

After leaving guide 28, the ribbon passes into a container 30, saidcontainer having a nozzle-like extension 31 at its lower side, throughwhich the ribbon passes. This nozzle-like extension is lined, also, withfelt or other soft material, serving to reduce the flow of liquidthrough the extension and] to clean the surfaceof the ribbon as itpasses out into the compartment 12 and around a guide roll 32, theperiphery of which is tans gent to the'axis of the cathode chamber, sothat the ribbon may be stretched in the oath ode chamber andmaintainedmidway of it, as it proceeds to and around the upper drivindrum 21. I

order to drive the spools 22 which wind up the stripped layers from thecathode 20, said spools are geared together so as to rotate in oppositedirections, and they may be driven in the proper direction by anysuitable connection with the cathode-driving drume21,

at the proper peripheral speed. It will beunderstood that the means for.imparting movement to thecathode ribbon is shown diagrammatically only,and that the proper speed ratios and adjustment will. be made asrequired by conditions.

The tower 10 may be of any desired height found practicable. For vconvenience of manufacture it is made of a plurality of sectionsassembled'together with suitable packing material between the joints; InFig. 1 the tower is shown broken away between its ends indicating thatany desired number of sections may be assembled as needed. The tower'isdivided longitudinally into compartments by partitions 33, which serveas anodes; said anode partitions are impervious to, and insoluble in,the electrolyte used, and are good conductors of electricity. They maybe made of a plurality of assembled plates of lead, carbon, Duriron orother suitable material in good conductive relation. The said partitionsextend from the bottom of the tower substantially to the top; they arespaced from eachother and form between them a tunnel-like compartmentopen only at its ends, said compartment conforming incross sectionsubstantially to the cross section of i the cathode, and having itsinner walls uni- I .toward their lower ends.

of the tower there is a special section 35,

formly spaced from the cathode a slight distance, say not over ith of aninch. At the lower end of the tower the anode partitions are preferablyprovided with extensions 34:, which project down into the electrolytecompartment 12, said anode extensions diverging At the lower end whichis closed at its bottom except to provide for the entrance of thecathode and for e the extension of the anode partitions;

Embedded inthe inner faces' of the anode plates which make up the saidpartitions 33, are bars or rods.36, of some insulating mathese rodsproject slightly from the .inner terial' insoluble in the electrolyte,such as glass, porcelain, or the" like. The faces of surfaces of theanode v partitions, whereby they serve to center the'travelling cathoderibbon and prevent it from coming lnto contact anywhere with the anode.

1t is desirable 'to arrange said rods 36 in positions inclined -to thedirection of movement of the cathode and of the electrolyte, for thebetter protection of the cathode .surface. preferably inclined'inopposite directions in order to avoid any tendency ofthe flowingelectrolyte to crowd toward one edge of the compartment.

' At opposite edges of the cathode'compart- Rods imbedded in oppositeplates are e ment, insulating material is imbedded in the anode platesupon opposite sides of the edge portions of the cathode. This serves toprea vent a heavy deposit upon the edges of the cathode strip, whichwould interfere with proper separation of the deposited sheet from thecathode. In practice, the said means forpreventingthe flow of currentsuch as would increase the thickness of the deposit at the edges, servesalso to space the anode plates from each other and to guide the edges ofthe ribbon; said insulating, spacing and guiding means is indicated bythe nu meral 37, and consists'of two pairs of bars for each plate, saidbars having smooth and flat surfaces 38 in contact .with each other,

and other surfaces 39 spaced apart sufliciently to permit the edges ofthe cathode strip to be guided between them. Said opposing bars 37' thusserve to guide the edges of the cathode strip, to prevent excess depositon said edges,

and to space the plates the required distance from each other.

On each side of the cathode compartment, H

completely separated therefrom by the impervious, insoluble anodepartitions, are chambers 40, which, in -practice, are filled with piecesof metal of the kind that is to be deposited from the .electrolyte uponthe cathode strip; inthe practice of copper deposition these pieces ofmetal may be'coppershot, and are indicated in the drawings by thenumeral 41. The chambers 40 are closed" at the bottom by the bottomplate of special section 35, butcommunicate with small ports 42 whichallow electrolyte to drain from said chambers into an annular passage43, from ice.

which it flows through a spout or short pipe 44 into the maincompartment 13, of the lower electrolyte tank.' i As a matter ofpractical construction, outward flaring conoidal ports 42 are formed ina plug 45, seated'in a tapered hole 46 made in the outer walls ofchamber 40, as shown in Fig. 3. I Said plugs are properly packed andheld inposition by locking devices which bear upon tangs 48 projectingfrom the plug. One of said plugs is secured by a lock-plate 47 seated ona gasket on shoulder.

49, formed in athreaded orifice 50, extending through the outer wall oflower section 35'.

' Said lockI-plateis held inplace by a threaded and the two compartmentsfor holding copper shot, or the like, referred to, the cell or tower hasa vertical passage 53 outside of and adjacent each compartment 40. Thesepassages communicate at their lower ends. with the passage 43, (Fig. 1)which receives elec-- trolyte from the lower ends of compartments 40, Attheir extreme upper ends, compartments 4O communicate with the passages53 by means of small orifices 54. Theorifices 54 tend to maintain theelectrolyte at a substantially definite level in the compartments 40,excess flowing through the orifices and into the drainage passages 53,whence it proceeds downward into passage 43 and to the compartment 13 ofthe lower electrolyte tank.

A special section 55 projects upward above the upper end of thedescribed chambers'of the cell. Section 55 has passages 56, diverging.upward, communicating at their upper ends with atmosphere, and at theirlower .ends with the compartments 40, which con 'tain copper shot or'the like, and are thus maintained at atmospheric pressure.

-ihrough these passages the metal fragments may be charged into saidchambers. Said section 55. also has a passage 57,between passages 56,communicating with the upper end of the cathode compartment. Thispassage is of the same cross sectional area as the cathode chamber'where it communicates with said chamber. From there it expands upward asindicated at 58, the large upper end of this tapering portion being inside com-;

munication with pipe 18 which conducts electrolyte into it. Itconstitutes a high speed nozzle. immediately abovethe entrance of widthsuficient only to permit free travel of the cathode ribbon. Above thenarrowed portion is a considerably edlarged chamber, in which there ismounted a pair ofbafie rolls 59 preferably covered with rubberorequivalent material, in engagement with 0p.- posite sides of thecathode;;

In the enlarged space of passage 57 above rolls 59, is a pair ofcontacts 60, constituting terminals of a conductor 6l, for the purposeof conducting current to the cathode.

The contacts are preferably bars with smooth curved surfaces arranged"one slightly above ing upon the head used. Electrolyte escap-" ingupwards from the tapered .entrance 58 will be baflled by the rolls 59;it .willrise beneficial. pipe 18 the said passage isnarrowed'to a abovethe contacts 60, so that said-contacts will be submerged in a coolingliquid thereby preventing injuriously heating the thin cathode, andpreventing sparking at the con tact surfaces Passage 57 communicateswith passages 56 through ports 62, thus allowing electrolyte to flowinto chambers 40 slowly, under atmospheric pressure only, and preventingover-flow over the top of the tower.

Electrical contact is made with the cathode not only through thecontacts 60 at the upper end of the tower, but also through contacts 63,which are immersed under a liquid,

referably water, in the previously descrlbed ontainer 30, near the lowerend of the tower, through which the cathode ribbon travels Said contacts63 are preferably rollers disposed in the same relation to the cathodeas are the bars 60. Rollers 63 are in electrical communication with thewalls Water may be led in a small stream through a pipe 64 intocontainer 30, and may be maintainedat the required level in saidcontainer by an over-flow orifice communicating with pipe 65, whichdischarges into the compartment 12 of the electrolyte tank. The water,

besides preventing sparking at the contact 'sur'facesand undue heatingof the cathode,

serves to wash and condition the coatin on the cathode. The addition ofthis slight amount of water to the electrolyte does not weaken thesolution because it replaces. evaporation or other losses of waterincident to the normal operation of the cell and is rather i 1% Theflaring lower terminals 34 of the anode partitions provide space for theentrance of the advancing cathode strip into the cathode chamber.Asthese ends dip into the electrolyte in said chamber 12, and as theelectrolyte flowing from the lower end of the cathode chamber comesbetweenthe cathode and said extensions34, deposition is initiated in thespace between the extensions so that when the cathodestrip has enteredthe actual cathode chamber of the cell, there is already started on thestrip a minute deposit, which .is deemed advantageous in the operation.

Conductors 66 carry current to theanode partitions. Each conductor 66terminates in -1 ng a shoulder in a counterbore'd. opemng I formed inprojection 7 0, {cast on theparticular tower section through which anodecontact is made. A hollow screw-threaded plug 71, bearing upon the outerface of flange 69, holds the plug in-place, with its inner endprotruding slightly into the chamber 40, in electrical contact with thecopper shot or other metal pieces therein. Current is con-' ducted fromthe plugs 67 to and through the metal ieces and to the anode partitions33. By this arrangement current is conducted uniformly and distributedwith facility throughout each anode partition. 'Theoverflowingelectrolyte in drain passages 53tends to cool the plugs, s

The electrolytic tower illustrated may be built of sectionsof castferrous metal alloy containing about 14% of silicon commonly known asDuriron, which has the property of resisting attacks of the electrolyteand its acid ingredients. Two of the sections, as shown,

are constructed to receive electrical contacts for the anodes. These twoare preferably the purpose may be inserted, as-required.

Each of the described sections 35, 72, 74,

73 and 55, is composed of two halves divided longitudinally orvertically, and each half has longitudinal flanges 78, through which maybe passed bolts 79, to secure the halves together, as is plainlyindicated in the drawings. Thehalves of said sections clamp betweenthem, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, the spaced anode partitions 33,thereby forming, when all sections are assembled, a cell having thecross sectional appearance indicated in said last mentioned figures.Spaces between the flanges 78 and the edges of plates 33, and around thebolts may be filled with any suitable cement. For this purpose I preferto use a sulphur cement,which may be rendered fluid and poured into thecavities to be filled, where it will solidify and form a most excellentfilling material. This cement may alsofunction as the packing material.in the space between the circumferential flanges V 76 not occupied bythe gaskets. The same material serves excellently as a material fromwhich to form the central member in which are the passages 56 and 57 ofthe special section 55.

, In operation a cathode ribbon, say of copper, ofsuitable gauge, may bethreaded through the tunnel-like compartment constituting the cathodecompartment. If the cathode is to be in the form of an endless band, theends of this strip may be united, after having been directed around thedrivingand guide drums, through the coating tank and cleansing gluide,between the stripping devices (if suc be used), and between theelectrical contacts provided for it. Chambers 40 are assumed to havebeen'filled with copper shot or other metal of the kind to be depositedfrom the electrolyte. A suitable body of electrolyte may be poured intoI the compartments 12 and 13 of the lower electrolyte tank. ,It copperisto be deposited, the electrolyte may be a fairly concentrated solutionof copper sulphate, with little free acid. With the cathode in place andchambers 40 filled with metal, the electrolyte may be started incirculation by pump 17. Conductors 61 and 66 being then connected elec-'trically with a source of electrical energy, and drum 21 being caused torevolve, as y electric motor 80, the cell is in o eration...

The electrolyte flows continuously rom the elevated head or tank 16through pipe 18 into the tapered inlet 58, under relatively highpressure considerably above atmospheric.

From said tapered inlet 58, a major portion of the electrolyte flows athigh speed downward throu h the cathode chamber on each side oftheribbon cathode, spurting from the lower end between the anode extensions34 into the compartment 12 of the lower electrolyte tank. Owing to theposition of the extensions 34, which project into the bath incompartment 12, the kinetic energy of the stream is quickly destroyed.Overflow from the compartment 12 intocompartment 13 takes placequietlyover the weir 14. A minor part of the electrolyte forced into theentrance 58,-flows upward thr ough the narrow slot above this entranceon each side of the cathode. The baflierollers, 59, revent any greatturbulence'in the upward owing electrolyte, and hold down its volume.The electrolyte wells upward from the bafile until it reaches the ports62, through which it flows into each of the compartments 40. These ports62 prevent the electrolyte from flowin over the top of the upper section55. Should the electrolyte passing through the small orifices 42 in theplugs at the bottom of chambers 40 be insufficient to carry away allthat flows into them through upper ports 62, the excess will overflowthrough the small upper ports 54, into the drain passages 53, and sointo the substantially horizontal passage 43 in the lower section,whence it will flow through the spout or discharge pipe 44 having joinedwith that which flows from the orifices 42, into the compartment 13. Bythis-arrangement, the streams. flowing from the chamber separated by theanode partitions are so Spaced that no electric current can flow fromone to the other, to rob the cell of any of the current needed forelectrolysis. Electrolyte flows at high speed throu h the cathodechamber under a pressure higher than atmospheric, and flows through theother chambers within the cell at slow speed under atmospheric pressure,so that there exists in the chambers, a difference of pressuregonsiderably in favor ofthe cathode cham- Thus it will be apparent thathigh current densities produced at relatively low electrical pressure,may be caused to flow opposed by low resistance, across the thin layerof' electrolyte which is interposed between the cathode and theinsoluble anodes.

Although I have described and illustrated, as required-by the patentlaws, one embodiment of an apparatus involving the principles go of myinvention, it is not intended that I shall be limited to the specificembodiment shown, since other forms may-be constructed without departingfrom the principles of the invention. v

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. A tower-like electrolytic cell in combination with means forcirculating electrolyte through said cell from top to bottom thereof andmeans for continuously moving a cathode into and through said cell, in adirection opposite the direction of flow of the electrolyte. 2. Anelectrolytic cell having a cathode, and means for causing it to movethrough said cell, conducting means terminating in solid contact means,acontainer outside of the cell in which said contact meansis disposed,and

, means for guiding said moving cathode in engagement with said contactmeans, said cons 4o tainer being adapted to receive a liquid coveringthe area of contact.

3. An electrolytic cell having a cathode and means for causing it tomove through said cell, conducting means terminating in solid as contactmeans, a container outside the cell adapted to receive liquid in whichsaid con tact means is disposed, means for guiding said cathode inengagement with said contact means, said container having an opening in5a the bottom to permit the passage of the cathode, said opening beinglined with wiping material adapted to substantially close the spacearound the cathode and to wipe the cathode. v

4. An electrolytic cellin theform of a tower, a cathode and means forcausing it to travel therethrough, means for circulating an electrolytethrough said cell, electric conducting means terminating in contactsengaging so the cathode atboth ends of the tower, the contact atthe-upper end being eifected under the electrolyte, a container at thelower end outside thecell, the lower contact means bering disposedwithin said container, which is adapted to receive a liquid, and meansfor guiding the cathode through said liquid in engagement with saidcontact means.

5. An electrolytic cell divided into compartments by a partition ofimpervious, in-

soluble anode materiahone of said compart ments containing the cathodeand another tank a gaseous fluid capable of reacting superficially, withthe cathode.

7. An electrolytic apparatus comprising a cell, an impervious partitionconstituting an insoluble anode dividing said cell into compartments, acathode in one-compartment, and metal of the kind to be deposited fromthe electrolyte in another, means for circulating electrolyte inseparate streams through said compartments, and -means whereby saidstreams are mingled after leaving the com- 'partments.

8. An electrolytic apparatus as defined in claim 7, in which'theelectrolyte circulating means causes the electrolyte stream flowingthrough the cathode compartment to move at a higher rate of speed thanthat flowing through the other compartment.

- '9. Anelectrolytic apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which theelectrolyte circulating means causes the electrolyte stream to movethrough thecathode compartment under pressure higher than atmospheric.

10. An electrolytic cell liaving a cathode, a cathode-containingcompartment of tunnel form, defined by partitions of impervious, in-.

soluble anode material, completely closed ex- K cept at opposite ends,said compartment having a cross section similar to that of the cath-,

ode, the surfaces of the cathode being uniformly-spaced slightly fromthe anode partitions another compartment containing metal of the kind tobe deposited, means for circulating electrolyte through saidcompartments in separate streams, and means for uniting the'streamsafter theyhave left the compartments.

11. An electrolytic cell having a travelling ribbon cathode. and acathode compartment of tunnel form, defined by partitions uniformlyspaced slightly from the cathode and having insulating materialinterposed between their opposing edge portions and the edges ofthecathode, I p

12. An electrolytic cell having a cathode compartment of tunnel formdefined by parti- I tions of material constituting anodes, theextremities of said anodes projecting divergently from one end of thecell, means for circulating electrolyte through said cell, and means forcausing a cathode to enter said com- 'partmentbetween the divergentanode ex-' insulating material serving to prevent contact between thecathode and the wall. I

14. An electrolytic cell as defined in claim 13, wherein the insulatingbars are arranged obliquely to the direction of travel of the cathode.

15. An electrolytic'cell having a travelling ribbon cathode and acathode compartment of tunnel form composed of spaced partitions havingbars of hard insulating material arranged obliquely in the inner surfaceof each partition, the bars in one partition being oppositely inclinedwith respect to the opposite bars in the other partition.

16. Anelectrolytic cell having a cathode chamber comprisingtwo-partitions of impervious, insoluble anode material said partitionsbeing spaced at their edges by bars of hard insulating material havinggrooves in which the edges of a ribbon cathode are adapted to be guided,the spacing bars at one edge of the chamber being separated from thespacing bars at the other edge a distance but slightly greater than thewidth of the cathode, whereby both edges of the cathode are guided inthe grooves of said bars.

17. A tower-like electrolytic cell having a travelling ribbon cathode,and a cathode compartment oftunne1like form open only at its upper andlower ends, said cell having an extension above the cathode compartment,there being an inlet into said extension which is in communication withsaid compartment and with a source of supply of electrolyte saidextension having a narrow slot above the inlet in the plane ofthecathode compartment, through which the ribbon cathode moves; bailiingdevices above the narrow slot in contact with said cathode, and meansfor circulating the electrolyte under, pressure. 7

18. Means as defined in claim 17, in combination with electricalconducting means and contacts disposed above the baflles, within theextension, said contactsbeing in engagement with the cathode and sodisposed as to be'submerged in the electrolyte rising above the bafiles.

19. A tower-like electrolytic cell having a travelling ribbon cathode acathode compartment of tunnel-like form, open only at its up-' 4 13. Anelectrolytic cell having a travelling ijiiea aeo per and lower ends, anda compartment adapted to receive metal of the kind to be de,.

posited from the electrolyte; an extension 'with the metal containingcompartment an with the atmosphere at the upper end of the extension;said extension also having a central vertical passageway including a bigspeed nozzle, communicating wlth the cat ode compartment, and a lateralorifice in thenozzle portion communicating with a pipe leading from asource of electrolyte under ressure; said central passageway being re--ricted above the entrance of electrolyte into the nozzle portion sothat the cathode may freely pass; bafiiing means to restrict the upwardmovement of electrolyte; there being a port above thebafiiing meanscommunicating s:

between thecentral passage and the passage leading to themetal-containing compartment, whereby electrolyte can be supplied to thelatter.

20. An electrolytic tower comprising a cathode compartment open only atits upper and lower end other compartments adapted to contain metal ofthe kind to be deposited; means for forcingelectrolyte under pressureinto the cathode compartment, a chamber above the entrance ofelectrolyte having a re stricted bottom opening through which thecathode passes, said restrictedopening communicating with the enteringelectrolyte,

means for checking without preventing the rise of electrolyte in thechamber, there being passages leading from the chamber above.

ice

said checking means into the compartments for containing metal.

21. A tower-like electrolytic cell, having a travelling ribbon cathode;impervious, 1n-

, soluble partitions of anode material separating the .cell intocompartments, one of which incloses the cathode and another containsmetal of the kind to be deposited from the electrolyte; an extensionabove the said com partments provided with passages communicating withthe respective compartments; means for circulating an electrolyte andforcing it under pressure into that passage in the extension whichcommunicates with the cathode compartment, there being a communicationnear the upper end of the extension between the passages leading to -thecathode and other compartments.

22. Means as defined in claim 21, with the addition of drainage conduitsextending lengthwise of the tower, and having communication at theirupper ends with the chambers containing metal whereby the level of theelectrolyte in said chambers may be maintained.

23. A tower-like electrolytic cell, divided vertically into compartmentsby an 'impervious, insoluble partition constituting an anode, one ofsaid compartments inclosing a cathode and the other metal of the kind tothe edges of the lpartitions clamped between be deposited from theelectrolyte; means for them and a har ened elastic cement circulatingelectrolyte through said compartthe space between the flanges notoccuple ments from top to bottom in separate streams by the partltions.

which unite after leaving said compartments; In testimony whereof, Iaflix m s1 ature. 70

a drainage conduit, said metal containing HERBERT CHAMPION HA R ON.compartment having means substantially level with the upper end of saidanode artition for permitting overflow of electro yte 10 into thedrainage conduit in order to main- 75 tain the level of the electrolyteat the level of the upper end of the anode partition.

24. An electrolytic cell composed of sections divided longitudinally,two partitions constituting impervious insoluble anodes,'di- 80 vidingsaid cell into compartments, insulating means disposed between the edgesof said partitions, said insulating means spacing said partitions so asto provide a cathode compartment between them, the edges of said par- 35titions being disposed between the sections; and means for securing thesections together with the edges of the partitions clamped between them.25. An electrolytic cell composed of sections divided transversely andlongitudinal ly, parallel, slightly spaced apart partitions divldingsaid cell into compartments the edges of said partition being disposedbetween the longitudinal edges of the sections, 95

means for securing the ends of said sections one to another, and'meansfor securin the side edges of said sections to ether witfi the edges ofthe partition clamlpe between them. 3 26. A tower-like electro ytic cellhaving 11 cathode tunnel open at the top and bottom, a conduit in closedcommunication with the opening at the top of said tunnel, means forforcing electrolyte thru said conduit into and 40 thru said tunnel underpressure higher than atmospheric, and means for moving a flexiblecathode into and thru said cathode tunnel. 27. An electrolytic cellhaving a cathode, means for causing the cathode to move 4 through saidcell, conducting means terminating in solid contact means, a containerin which said contact means is disposed, and means for guiding saidcathode 1n engagement with said contact means; means for l causingliquid to flow into said container,

said container having a liquid level maintaining means adapted tomaintain the level of the liquid therein, means for circulatingelectrolyte including a reservoir for receivin 55 electrolyte from thecell, said liquid leve maintaining device consisting of an overflowconductor arranged to discharge into the electrolyte reservoir. -28. Anelectrolytic cell composed of sections divided longitudinally, the sideed es of said sections having flanges; para el slightly spaced apartpartitions dividing said cell into compartments, the edges of saidpartitions being disposed between the sections, 65 means for securingthe sections together with

